"Warning, Chapter 32, Section 7. Spellcasting has been obstructed. Initiating defensive spell sequence to reverse the magical effects acting upon 'Index Librorum Prohibitorum'."
Index was completely devoid of humanity. Her cold, emotionless eyes stared unblinkingly at the three of them.
"Chapter 22, Section 1. Fire-type magic formula successfully reverse-engineered. Confirmed to be a misinterpreted doctrine recorded within rune systems. Chapter 46, Section 3. Confirmed as composite magic constructed under 'Idol Theory'. Chapter 32, Section 7. Error. Error. No compatible counter-spell found..."
"Is Index actually using the knowledge of the 103,000 grimoires to fight us?!" Kanzaki Kaori felt the situation becoming overwhelmingly difficult. If she was truly utilizing the knowledge of all 103,000 grimoires, even a Saint like her would struggle to gain the upper hand.
The steel wires continued to bind Index tightly, attempting to drag her away from the center of the magic circle. However, even now, she had only been displaced slightly.
"There is no mistake... but she should not be able to use magic. Where is she obtaining the magical power necessary to cast something of this scale?" Stiyl said through clenched teeth.
The blazing fire illuminated the shoreline, and within the flickering light, a golden Buddhist swastika manifested, forming a circular boundary around Index.
"Idiot, do you even need to ask? Obviously your Archbishop has been deceiving you all along, making you act like obedient fools. The reason Index cannot use magic is because your Puritan Church tampered with her body, and this magic originates from that tampering."
Holding the Clow Card Sword, Arata cut through the binding strands of light as he spoke with clear sarcasm. "Such an immense supply of magical power naturally comes from the 'Automatic writing System' managing the 103,000 grimoires. Index herself is nothing more than a vessel."
"Spell successfully extracted from Chapter 1, Section 3, 'Vajra Realm,' within the grimoire 'Vajra Mantra'. Activation commencing."
Centered on Index, radiant golden Buddhist light emerged from her body, forming a tangible protective barrier around her. The golden swastika slowly expanded outward, and along with it, the barrier rapidly extended. Within a single breath, its radius had reached thirty meters, completely enveloping both Index and the magic circle.
Kanzaki Kaori's steel wires snapped apart with a sharp metallic sound. The recoil forced her to step backward, and Stiyl's flames were completely cut off outside the barrier.
"A Buddhist defensive formation at the level of a temple..." Kanzaki Kaori felt a cold drop of sweat slide down her forehead. The scriptures of the Amakusa Crossist Church contained records of such techniques. This was a defensive formation originating from the Shaolin Temple of the Far East, capable of repelling all magical attacks below the level of an Angel.
"If this continues, we really will be killed by Index." Stiyl's pupils trembled as he ground his teeth.
"Tch... this is getting troublesome." Arata rubbed his temples, realizing that his "Words of Infinite Deception" had no effect on Index in her current state.
Even with Void Star: Tai suu activated, it could only reduce Index's output by half. Their only option was to rely on "Rule Breaker," as it functioned as the ultimate spell-breaking Noble Phantasm.
However, dismantling a defensive formation of this level with "Rule Breaker" required time. Without it, Kanzaki Kaori, even as a Saint, would be reduced to a powerless target under the great magic "The Last Supper," and could even be killed instantly.
Index's body slowly returned to the center of the magic circle. The inverted Kabbalah Tree of Life formation transformed, reshaping itself into a cross of pure light, with ten luminous spears forming behind her.
"The Divine Child Instant Death Technique complete. Spear of Longinus."
The ten spears detached from the cross, spreading outward in a fan-shaped formation. One of them locked directly onto Kanzaki Kaori.
In that instant, Kanzaki Kaori felt her body restrained by an invisible force. Cold sweat streamed down her face.
The Saint who had never known defeat now felt the unmistakable presence of death closing in.
Her body felt as if it were bound by countless threads. A body that could normally move at supersonic speeds was now reduced to barely exceeding the movements of an ordinary human under the targeting of the spear.
"Move! That is the same spear that pierced the Son of God. If it hits you, you will be gravely injured or killed!" Stiyl shouted, his scalp tingling with fear.
"Idiot, move!" Arata instantly appeared beside Kanzaki Kaori, gripping "Rule Breaker" and forcibly pushing her aside just as the spear of light fired toward her.
"It even has an automatic tracking function." Arata glanced at the pursuing spear and thrust forward with "Rule Breaker," his speed already reaching the speed of sound.
Buzz
A blinding blue light filled everyone's vision. The spear shattered like fragile glass upon impact.
"Thank you..." Kanzaki Kaori said, her voice still unsteady.
"Now is not the time for that. Focus on evading the remaining spears." After speaking, Arata instantly moved to the golden barrier and drove "Rule Breaker" down with full force.
Ripples spread across the golden barrier like stones dropped into still water.
"All phenomena must be severed. True Name release: Rule Breaker." Arata spoke the true name of the Noble Phantasm, and it shone with intense brilliance.
Crack, crack, crack
Under the strike of "Rule Breaker," countless fractures spread rapidly across the Vajra Realm barrier. In the next instant, it shattered completely with a thunderous roar.
At that exact moment, a second spear of light fired toward Kanzaki Kaori.
"Boss!" Stiyl shouted in panic.
"King of Witch Hunters!" The flaming cross wielded by the fire giant intercepted the spear, but the giant shattered violently upon impact.
Kanzaki Kaori's expression turned cold as she raised her katana and accurately intercepted the incoming spear. However, the instant her blade made contact, the power of her Saint body was suppressed. Although she managed to deflect its trajectory, the spear still pierced through her thigh.
"Ugh!" Kanzaki Kaori dropped to one knee, her face pale. This was bad.
She looked up at the remaining eight spears of light.
Arata had already arrived before Index. Seeing her completely inhuman eyes, a trace of pain flashed across his expression.
"I wonder if 'Rule Breaker' can undo whatever Coronzon has done to you."
Without hesitation, he thrust the blade into Index's chest. It passed through as if nothing had been touched.
Index's body twisted violently like a malfunctioning puppet, her joints bending unnaturally as though they lacked bones.
Crack, crack, crack...
A series of breaking sounds echoed from empty space.
"Warning... warning... Chapter 26... Section... The first defensive layer of the Index Librorum Prohibitorum... has been... breached. Repair attempts ongoing. Second layer breached. Third layer breached..."
Index's voice gradually degraded, like a malfunctioning radio losing signal. Finally, the light of the magic circle behind her dimmed and slowly vanished.
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.